On 4th February 2026, Liberal Democrat MPs and peers were briefed by a delegation of Palestinian business experts and NGO leaders.

The briefing examined how Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian State impacts the Palestinian economy in practice – including through restrictions on land, movement, and trade – and how these policies shape the ability of Palestinian businesses to operate and grow.

Speakers highlighted the specific impacts on Palestinian women working in Israeli settlements, who face unsafe working conditions, long hours, job insecurity, and reports of harassment and abuse.

The discussion also addressed the role of trade with Israel’s illegal settlements in sustaining the occupation, and the legal duty of third states, including the UK, to introduce an immediate and comprehensive ban on settlement trade.

The session was hosted by Marie Goldman, Liberal Democrat MP for Chelmsford.